Perhaps some jokes are just too soon to make. Maybe they'll always be too soon to make.
Having said that, not saying something or making a statement about it causes fear of the subject. But then again, certain rules should be applied to humor.
Racist jokes aren't funny. Holocaust jokes aren't funny. But there are scads and scads of them floating around. Whenever I hear one, I cover my mouth out of pure shock that someone has a twisted enough mind to come up with something like that. Some jokes are just plain crass and rude. And they have no rhyme or reason or purpose for being made.
Having said THAT, I believe that humor/satire is one of the best ways to reach society. People listen more when it's presented in this light. Whenever I look at comedians like Sarah Silverman or South Park or Family Guy, I like to hope that they're making these jokes to point out how stupid people are who actually believe these things. It becomes satire, it becomes a mockery of prejudice and racism and then people really listen.
In an idealistic world, most people would understand the function of satire. Sadly, a good number do not.
But whenever I look at the humor we discussed in class, I see an opportunity to learn something and the subsequently grow from it.
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